From this week's Sports Illustrated, comes this poll where 284 MLB players were asked "Which Other Team Would You Most Like To Play For?"
Heck yeah! Everyone wants to play in Braves Country.
So why can we only get free agents like Troy Glaus, Derek Lowe, and Kenshin Kawakami to come to Atlanta? I think the real answer to this question for most players is "whatever team pays me the most."
1 recs | 233 comments
New York Mets …………… 0%
bwellnjonesco - October 5, 2010
that could change
with rumors of Joe Torre making a return to NY… only this time to the NL
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
I thought Torre stopped that rumor.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
did he?
I hadn’t heard that… Can’t blame him, no one wants to go to the Mets haha
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
I couldn’t tell you where I heard/read it. So I don’t know for sure either.
The Mets are just a nightmare of a situation the last few years.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
if they were smart,
they would hire Ned Yost. maybe he’s somewhere else, but I think he’s free.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
I thought
he was at the helm in KC… did that not last?
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
maybe so
shouldn’t be too hard for the $$Mets$$ to lure him out of KC.
I wouldn’t want this to happen, obviously. just saying.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
I think
the mets should go join the Carolina League and call it a day…
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
nah
they crack me up. always good for a laugh. let them stick with it, thinking they’re entitled to something, just because they play in NY.
it’s too funny. they could always make Acosta their closer.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Yeah
haha poor Manny…
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
The Mets are the ones that willingly took Frenchy AND Acosta
THEY PLAY IN THE SAME DIVISION AS THE BRAVES
jeez
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
He just said he's not interested...
while Manuel had the job. And now, Manuel doesn’t have the job.
But I’d wager the reason the Braves are so high on that list won’t be a valid reason next year (i.e. #6).
Mr. Sanchez - October 5, 2010
Thanks for the clarification.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
That is exactly why...
…the Braves topped the list.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
This
BTW, you gonna welch or pay up?
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/12/24/1218507/atlanta-braves-fan-confidence-poll#27845354
Yakker - October 5, 2010
Wow, I will give you one thing...
…you have certainly convinced me that WPA is a useless stat for relief pitchers.
Rodney had an ERA of 4.24, FIP of 4.05, an xFIP of 4.55, and a WAR of 0.3 but managed a WPA of 0.95.
Wagner, on the other hand, had an ERA of 1.43, a FIP of 2.10, and xFIP of 2.34, and a WAR of 2.2, but managed only a WPA of 0.89.
You win the bet; I was right regarding who we should have signed. I will pay up when I have time, but I will give you fair warning that my ode will mention all of the facts and the basis of the dispute.
Are you not glad that we signed Wagner instead of Rodney?
cavebird - October 5, 2010
I think Wren took a huge gamble on Wagner’s health, but it paid off.
I also think you should consider whether you’re correctly comparing across leagues.
I look forward to your ode. I hope it also mentions the fact that Rodney cost 80% of Wagner’s salary for a higher WPA.
Yakker - October 5, 2010
That it will.
But give me a day or two, just stopping in quickly now, work and life in general are crazy busy for me know. I should have time by tomorrow night, however.
BTW, does you comment mean you think we would have done better with Rodney? If so, I commend your consistency if nothing else.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
The collective thought about Torre is he wants to win now… and nothing about the Mess screams win now!
UpstateNyBravesFan - October 5, 2010
Over under of the Pirates being in the negative?
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
I remember
Kawakami, Glaus, and Lowe were all hot commodities on the free agency market when they hit and every team was clamoring to sign them…
Although Derek Lowe has been hit or miss, be glad the team didn’t end up giving AJ Burnett the five-year $82 million deal he wanted… Look how well that’s turning out…
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
I think you are one out of three there.
Lowe was a pretty hot commodity, but he didn’t get the bigger money he wanted, so he was out there a while. Still, he had plenty of offers.
Kawakami was sort of medium. He was considered the lesser of the two Japanese pitchers who came over that year (behind Kuroda), but was sought be some, but not nearly to the extent Lowe was.
Glaus was not highly sought after. Teams were too concerned with his shoulder problem. He gave his medical records to every team to try to prove he was healthy enough to play. He was not a sought after commodity.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
This
I was going to say this, but I didn’t feel like typing that much.
king of games - October 5, 2010
Kuroda came over a year earlier (2008). Kawakami was the prized Japanese pitcher that year, although some people did like Uehara more.
alxn - October 5, 2010
I'm sorry
My sarcasm doesn’t translate well in my posts… If I recall correctly none of them were highly sought after
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Lowe was and Kawakami were. Glaus wasn’t.
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
But I bet plenty of teams would love to have Glaus if for his May/June only.
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
If only he didn’t break down.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
All I want for Christmas...
is Carl Crawford.
sddbaker - October 5, 2010
I'll pitch in for Crawford of Werth (minus his crazy beard/hair...and craziness in general).
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Do not
Bring Werth to Atlanta… The locker room isn’t big enough for two Jasons…
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
He seems to play 4thish fiddle fine in Philly. I don’t like his personal background but he’s useful all over the outfield. Only problem is his age/money ratio.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
don't forget
he’s a giant d-bag
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
thats the “personal background”
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
haha
yeah… call me old fashioned… but I don’t care for giant d-bags…
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
Let the Giants sign him...
and then he will be a “Giant” D-Bag.
kp.atl - October 5, 2010
Can someone enlighten me on this "personal background"
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Basically Werth being a prick to on occasion. But stated better than d-bag lol. Maybe it’s my underlying grumpiness towards the Phillies.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Not gonna make a judgement
I’ve heard things about Derek Lowe that make me question his moral compass, but who knows if it’s true. If he pitches in the playoffs like he did in September, then he can do whatever he wants as long as its legal. Hah.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
I agree.
Although I hate many peoples decisions, they are adults and it is theirs to make. As long as they are a decent rep of the organization while employed by them then I have less of a problem.
People are people and make awful mistakes in their private lives sometimes.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
HIs efforts to improve this season makes me think otherwise.
Broccoman - October 5, 2010
He's a jerk.
Not a “moral” thing, he’s just a big jerk. Hateful. Condescending. Cusses at children.
sddbaker - October 5, 2010
lol
that guy in the stands really did fuck up that play.
not justifying Werth swearing at the kids. in today’s society, it’s nothing they don’t hear 40 times a day, anyway.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Ball was coming at him and his kid
He did what any of us would do in the situation. I get Werth was probably pissed off but I don’t think I can defend him on that one. Even Moises Alou said he overreacted after the Bartman play and that was a bigger play.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Bartman was like 20....
to be fair
Shoert - October 5, 2010
I'm not really sure what age has to do with a ball coming at you and instinctively trying to catch it
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010
no...
I’m saying it was more acceptable for Alou to flip out on a 20 year old, than it was for Werth to cuss out a little kid. But Bartman screwed up big time
Shoert - October 5, 2010
I never lay blame on Bartman
A bunch of other people also reached for the ball, so if he screwed up then so did numerous others. And I probably would have reached for the ball too if it was coming at me. Also, Cubs had a chance to get out of the inning and completely collapsed.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Mainly....
I feel bad for the guy. I’m waiting for the ESPN 30 for 30 about him to come out
Shoert - October 5, 2010
I just find the whole thing hilarious...
He has death threats in Chicago, so the governor of Florida offers to take him in.
that stuff is great. lol
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
This is what Philadelphia does to you. Because before he played there Jayson Werth was an awesome guy. He was one of the nicer, more friendly guys around.
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
Still I don’t think he likes hogging the spot light, so I’d welcome him. I don’t think he’s a diva in his career. He just seems like he goes out, plays ball everyday and grows a ridiculous beard.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
This would be awesome. I want him or Jayson Werth.
heap16 - October 5, 2010 via mobile
hypothetically...
I’d love to have him. But the Phillies fans have already resigned to the fact that he wont be there next year, because of how much money he will ak for. I know the Phillies have a little bit more $$$ than we do, so my guess he is out of our price range. Crawford too. I’d love to have him play CF or LF for us and hit leadoff, but there is no way we can afford to pay him.
Shoert - October 5, 2010
I think the Phillies are pretty stretched even though they have more money. They’ll have to let some players go.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
yes
because they signed ryan howard to $25 million/year
forgotten_glory - October 5, 2010
That’s the best move the Braves made all year.
king of games - October 5, 2010
and halladay makes $20 million/year
heap16 - October 5, 2010
i would consider paying him that though…personally…but regardless, those two alone cost a pretty penny…
forgotten_glory - October 5, 2010
In a few years people may have a different opinion about this. Obviously, they are a major threat to win a WS. So people will say “it’s worth it to spend $45 million on teo guys.” But as time goes and Utley and Victorino and Hamels become eligible for free agency (whenever that is) and the Phils have a ton of money tied up with Howard/Halladay, people may reconsider exactly how much money they are paying them. The key is how effectively they bring up players through their farm system, and they seem to be doing a pretty good job of that, at least for right now. But enough about the Phillies.
Shoert - October 5, 2010
This.
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
Not to harp...
But next season, the sum of 6 contracts will likely eclipse our entire team’s salary.
Howard – 20M
Halladay – 20M
Utley – 15M
Oswalt – 16M
Ibanez – 11.5M
Lidge – 11.5M
That’s without portions of signing bonuses that still have to be paid out…and Joe Blanton’s 10.5M ($8.5M salary, $2M prorated signing bonus).
Nonetheless, we’re taking the division next season.
-C
cthabeerman - October 5, 2010
Next year they are still going to be good. And as far as I know, several of thse guys are locked up for a few years. I’m thinking more long term, when it comes time for those guys to re sign, someone is going to walk. But that is easily remedied by a good farm system, which as far as I can tell, the Phillies have at worst a decent one. BUT so do the Braves, so expect some tough battles over the next several years.
Shoert - October 5, 2010
No doubt they'll be great again...
But collectively another year older, and this is not a young team. With Brown presumably taking over Werth’s spot, they’ll only have three starters (Hamels, Brown and Kendrick) under the age of 30.
They do have most of the team locked up for a couple years, but then a logjam begins. What do you pay your veterans like Rollins, Lidge, Hamels, Victorino, etc. If they want market value or raises for these dominant years, management’s hands will be tied.
Utley’s final contract year is 2013, do you try for an extension in 2012 when you have to deal with Hamels arbitration, a host of options and potential free agency for Hamels, Victorino, Oswalt, etc.
And this isn’t even taking into account cutting ties with (and finding cheaper yet capable replacements for) Lidge, Blanton, etc. That can certainly be done, but it’s always a crapshoot. There are also more bullpen guys that have expiring contracts that need addressed or replaced, but I figure they can find some way to get that sorted…
Maybe they get some discounts from the players in order to keep the nucleus intact. But when more than half of your team is older than 30, you’re going to experience a glut of impending turnover.
-C
cthabeerman - October 6, 2010
That is beautiful.
justincredubil02 - October 6, 2010
but the question you have to ask yourself as a fan and management is how valuable is playoff baseball and winning world series? I mean, if they go to the series again this year thats 3 years in a row and thats an amazing, semi historic run. If they collapse next year under the weight of their payroll (hypothetically) and suck for a few years because they can’t reload from the farm system I still say it was worth it. I’d trade a couple of division titles and add a 100 loss season if it meant the Braves won another world series the past 10 years.
yondaime4 - October 6, 2010
And if they can squeeze 1-2 more years out of those guys...
working to rebuild the farm and plug holes through spending revenue from playoffs, attendance, etc, it isn’t a horrible plan, and it doesn’t look like the core of Halladay, Howard, and Utley are about to break down yet.
Mr. Sanchez - October 6, 2010
I want him too, but it’s never going to happen – dude is going to get $15M+ and I just don’t think the ownership will let Wren play up there.
a5ehren - October 5, 2010
Because
Liberty Media sucks
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
Who says we can’t? You have to try though to get better free agents, and it’s not clear Wren did mostly due to budget concerns.
redwards95 - October 5, 2010
Because we aren't ponying up for the CC Sabathias, Mark Teixieras and Adam Dunns?
Mr. Sanchez - October 5, 2010
Tex would be the example- we never offered him anything serious, and word was he was going to take a little bit less for a long enough deal in Atlanta
Londonjoe - October 5, 2010
Yes, but we couldn't afford...
…to offer him “a little bit less” than the Yankees offered him. That was a huge contract. And it will probably be an albatross by the end—-one that the Yankees can work around, but we cannot.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
They offered him 20 million a year for 7 years, how is that not serious?
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
From what I recall...
we offered similar to what Tex offered, and that “word” that he’d take less was never substantiated by him.
Mr. Sanchez - October 5, 2010
You’re dumb.
kauf67 - October 5, 2010
We did offer him a monster contract. He turned it down for NY – supposedly his wife had something to do with it.
He was never going to take less to play in Atlanta. That is a false rumor.
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
Yeah, I recall during his press conference when he signed with NYY that he asked his wife where he should go and she said to sign with the Yankees for they are the most loved or the pinnacle of baseball or some crap like that.
Basically I’ve had a personal vendetta against her ever since.
Sarahbeth - October 5, 2010
The reason we aren’t ponying up is not because those players don’t want to go to Atlanta though. It’s because Atlanta’s GM (in many cases rightly) has judged that given Atlanta’s payroll limits it can’t afford to spend $20 million on, say, Mark Teixeira. Of course not getting into a bidding war with the Yankees with Teixeira doesn’t mean you have to settle for the likes of Troy Glaus.
redwards95 - October 5, 2010
It also has a lot to do with the MLBPA...
A lot of these players get harassed by the union to sign wherever they’re offered most because it’s “unfair” of them to take a pay-cut which could result in their less-talented peers receiving less money.
The Braves can do well signing the Hudsons and Glauses of the league, because injury concerns brought them below the elite tier of players at the time they signed. But when you start looking at the Teixeiras and Sabathias of the league, they’re so pressured into signing where the biggest offer comes from because the Burnetts and Lowes and Aramis Ramirezes of the game deserve maximum payment for their efforts as well.
It’s a crock, and the only real exception to the rule involves players with injury histories or one-team lifers, franchise guys that are allowed to take a cut (Chipper being one of them). Once a player is traded, they’re a commodity not only for themselves but for their fellow players as well.
Looking forward, there’s no reason why Adrian Gonzalez should have to be traded or leave his hometown to sign with the Yankees or Red Sox because Prince Fielder deserves more money.
-C
cthabeerman - October 5, 2010
This team would not be in the playoffs were it not for Troy Glaus.
And who was a better F/A 1B out there?
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
Pujols
So what if he was still under contract with St. Louis? I mean c’mon, Wren!
UMDBHIK - October 5, 2010
Agreed.
We should have traded Melky for Pujols and KK for Prince – to be the backup.
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
Our HBP would have gone up considerably with that fat monstrosity at the plate!
UMDBHIK - October 5, 2010
It would even out the amount of batters Hanson hit. Balance is key.
Sarahbeth - October 5, 2010
Aubrey Huff
turned out to be a better FA 1B than Glaus, fwiw.
J-Turn14 - October 5, 2010
Hind-sight, yes.
Would anyone have thought that in March or earlier?
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
How else could we judge who the best FA 1B
was, if not with hindsight? That said, I liked Glaus more than Huff in the offseason too.
J-Turn14 - October 5, 2010
We aren’t talking about judging anyting. We are talking about making the best move at the time.
justincredubil02 - October 6, 2010
I thought of Huff in the Hinske mold...
but then, getting him would have been great for LF, or 1B once Glaus broke down.
Mr. Sanchez - October 6, 2010
moreso than the Yankees....
that says alot, right there. considering that the Yankees are probably the most popular team in the world.
the Braves will surprise you on some of these popularity polls.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Would that poll be the same after Bobby Cox isn't there next year
Cause you know he has A LOT to do with it.
Southern Dawg - October 5, 2010
I’m curious as to what the result would be too after Bobby’s gone.
NCChopper - October 5, 2010
won’t be the same.
that simple.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
The professionalism of the Braves Organization doesn’t stop at Bobby. I agree that Bobby is a big chunk of the equation though.
bwellnjonesco - October 5, 2010
Now, the Braves need to take this info along with some money
and add some free agent fireworks this off season. I’m tired of them sticking ‘band-aids’ on different positions.
WarEagle86 - October 5, 2010
It would be nice if.....
Ted Turner watches the postseason and thinks to himself, “They’ve got some injuries, but they’re still hanging in there. Why, with a little more money and a few, key pieces, this club and Freddi Gonzalez could continue on with another great run.”
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Man I miss Ted Turner
back when this team had an owner who was willing to open the purse to bring home a winner…
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
yeah
I’m still kind of shocked, honestly, that they cut loose Kelly Johnson. shows how strapped for cash we are. he would be getting some playing time right now. and Kelly and Martin never had beef, anyways.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
I was
just thinking to myself the other day how desperately this team could use Kelly right now… Yeah… I wish they would have kept him as a bench/utility… He can play all over… Got experience at SS, 3B, 2B, LF
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
it would have been wise to keep him, what with an infielder in his late 30s. nothing against Chipper at all.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
I really think
Wren wanted to keep him and give him another chance… But I got the impression ownership is unwilling to budge on their player budget regardless of the situation…
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
(long sigh)
yeah
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
I often wonder
Why some of these franchises don’t go public and have a Board… That would raise a lot of money… But I guess i’m living in a fantasy world
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010 via mobile
because you can be leveraged at that point
and as foreign sports have proven, Americans, leverage, and sports teams mix like Uranium and Boron
Londonjoe - October 5, 2010
Also, I think they'd probably catch hell and threaten their BS antitrust "exemption"
Yakker - October 5, 2010
That experience at those other positions doesn’t really mean much since he hasn’t played anywhere but second base since 2006. Also, Arizona really helped his stats. At home his batting average was 54 points higher, his slugging was 169 points higher, and his OPS was 222 points higher. If he had been with Atlanta he would have been the same frustrating player.
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
This
kauf67 - October 5, 2010
Arizona did help him to a large (massive) degree. But then again his .754 road OPS while playing ~30% of his road games in SD, SF, and Dodger Stadium would certainly be an upgrade over much of what we ran out there in LF this year. He was also markedly more consistent, with only one “bad” month with a .678 OPS and no other months below .760. The strangest thing about his year was a 7.5 UZR at 2B. Probably a fluke number there and I didn’t see much of his play at all but maybe he has made some progress defensively as well.
Anyway, good for Kelly. He probably was league average at 2B, maybe slightly above but after the year he endured last year, its certainly qualifies as a good year.
jeg - October 5, 2010
@ the maddux luncheon last season,
KJ was on assignment with Gwinnett. I asked FW, point blank, “Can we please, please keep Kelly Johnson?” and begin to spout a bunch of reasons he is so valuable (I know he knew every reason I gave him, I just wanted to vocalize it). He said “Absolutely” he wanted to keep KJ and that he would “do what he could” to keep him.
I guess it didn’t work out. I even asked Chipper if he could sway management to keep him and he said something to the tune of “I wanna keep him too,” and how he’s put in his word or whatever.
sigh I miss you, KJ!
Jareth Cutestory - October 5, 2010
Me too.
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
Bobby liked him.
and would have found a way to utilize him had we kept him around. I tell ya, he’d be great to have right now, with Chiper and Prado out. We could still use Brooksy off the bench
Shoert - October 5, 2010
We all need to be mad at Jane Fonda. Turner had to sell the team because of their divorce, leading to the awful ownership structure we have now.
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
…..women.
lol
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Damnit
I burning all my aerobics videos when i get home
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Turner didn't sell the team because of Jane Fonda
He sold all of his media holdings (TBS,TNT,CNN) to Time Warner. The Braves just happened to be part of those.
pchaucer - October 5, 2010
He sold all of it at the same time he was in the middle of the divorce. That’s how these things work, you sell off all your assets and split the profits. He absolutely sold the Braves, and all his other media holdings, because of Jane Fonda.
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
Damn you Jane Fonda....
but her dad was good in “Twelve Angry Men” if you haven’t seen it
Shoert - October 5, 2010
Anybody that has jury duty should be required to watch that movie.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore!
UMDBHIK - October 5, 2010
Just another reason to hate Hanoi Jane…
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
Historical Correction:
Although, she wasn’t Hanoi Jane…that’s just what I call her. I know Hanoi Jane was the lady who would get on the radio and spew anti-American propoganda…
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
That was her.
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
No, there was another lady, VC type, who would get on the radio and tell everyone how the Americans are losing, surrender, blah blah.
Jane Fonda just did a PR visit to Hanoi Hilton, allegedly turning over to the VC a list of names that the prisoners passed her to report back to the States. That story is disputed, but what isn’t disputed is Jane Fonda posing for pictures on VC anti-aircraft guns that shot down our planes.
justincredubil02 - October 6, 2010
http://www.wellesley.edu/Polisci/wj/Vietimages/fonda.htm
cbwilk - October 6, 2010
Hmmm….I am thinking of Hanoi Hannah.
http://www.psywarrior.com/hannah.html
justincredubil02 - October 6, 2010
As for Ted...
…unfortunately, the fiasco with AOL has cost him a huge chunk of his fortune, and he doesn’t have the money to buy the Braves back. At least that is what he said a few years back—-he said he would love to own the Braves again, but didn’t have the money to buy them. He said he would considered being part of a group to buy them if one was formed.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
Maybe this poll was "What team would you most want to play for - money excluded?"
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
we should go for...
Yu Darvish and Matt Murton. Darvish is likely too pricey, but would make for a fantastic rotation to challenge the Phillies next year. Murton would be a cheap left field option, allowing us to pursue a center fielder via trade. He was a decent MLB player, and maybe some time in Japan playing everyday helped develop his game.
ruxsin - October 5, 2010
Murton destroyed Japan Gonzilla style.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Which means he’s qualified to come back and play AAA. How many guys have gone over and destroyed a foreign league and come back and done much of anything in the Majors?
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
I was just agreeing that he should be considered as someone who should be brought over. Not necessarily for the starting job or back up or AAA or simply a try out. But he had a great season there and could be considered after we inevitably get outbid by some major market team with crazy money.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Cecil Fielder?
Mr. Sanchez - October 5, 2010
this
completely.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 5, 2010
This year...
…Colby Lewis. Mediocre major-leaguer, was great in Japan, and has now had one solid year back here.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
And Darrell May did the same thing with the Royals after coming back over. But how many other guys have gone over, come back, and continued to do nothing? A few rare examples only prove how rare it is.
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
Murton was good in limited MLB time
He was never given much of a chance. Not saying he will lead the Braves to the promise land, but a spring training invite wouldn’t hurt.
alxn - October 5, 2010
Millar?
Yakker - October 5, 2010
MLB Traderumors
said the other day the Braves were in on Darvish…. along with about ten other teams though
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
Hopefully he has no ill will towards how Kawakami was played this season.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
KK had no stuff. Just throwing it in there, really. No movement.
He was getting lit up. None of our pitchers get runs.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
We know that. But I don’t know how the Japanese nation takes note of that or how much they pull for their players playing in the MLB. I’m just hoping nobody got slighted from it.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Well, if anybody, the Braves got slighted. Just one more “despite”.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Darvish is the real deal
I can’t imagine how much it would cost to acquire him though. I consider him a better pitcher than Dice-K was when he was posted.
alxn - October 5, 2010
MLBTR says
he’s looking for 5-years at $5-$6 million per. Not too extravagant
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010
but with $25mil posting fee
king of games - October 5, 2010
Sounds like a lot of teams learned from the Dice-K contract
Although scouts may just not be as high on him as I am
alxn - October 7, 2010
That's obviously because of good ole "Southern Hospitality" :-)
But, isn’t it interesting a certain city didn’t make the list. The one that sells out and where fans will vomit on you.
Hmmmmm.
NCChopper - October 5, 2010
because of that "Northern Douchebaggery" ;-)
lol
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Hey...
I’m from PA, just the western side.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
I’m just funning. I know a bunch of people around here from up north that all moved because, “they couldn’t take it up there, anymore.”
My response is always the same….“It’s not much better down here. Maybe with less vommitting. But endless bass.”
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Ha
No PA is beautiful in the fall and we in Western PA don’t really associate with Eastern PA, it’s strange (probably because PA is huge and empty in the middle).
I moved south to DC because I hate winter and would love to go more southern.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
This reminds me of Missouri.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
I overheard this on the radio this morning:
“Philadelphia fans once booed Santa Claus”
tough crowd.
HeyMikey - October 5, 2010
Its true to an extent.
Many Philly fans that I know get mad about that because its misinterpreted, I guess…
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Did they really boo Santa?
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010
Yes.
But said Santa, was a fan dressed up as Santa and doing something stupid in the stands (surprise!). But I can’t really remember the reason.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
I for some reason remember is being at a football game
Regardless, I’ll probably be verbally berated for this, but I actually admire the passion and energy of Northeast fans. Philly fans are said to be tough to deal with, but its only because they really care. I take that over passive fans any day.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010
The fans are passionate and I don’t fault them for that. It just seems that Philly fans have a larger number of fans that decide to do stupid stuff.
It was at a football game, yes.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
re: booing santa claus
Here’s the story, according to Snopes.
BW Smith - October 5, 2010
They've still done some crappy booing.
The best example is Kiteman. They first tried this in 1972. Opening day, a stuntman is supposed to rollerskate down a ramp, hangglide to the mound and throw out the first pitch. He crashed sideways off the ramp, went through a few rows of seats, and crashed into the upperdeck rail He then tried to heave the ball to home plate, but it landed in the bullpen, not even making the field. The fans booed.
The Phillies tried the same stunt several times, all with failure, until eventually, somebody did it right, I think in 1990. The fans booed that, too.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
By then it was just tradition ha ha.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
I would pick the Twins
Only because I’m moving to Minnesota because it’s beautiful and my favorite city in America. I really hope that if I was a player that I would not have obsession with playing for the Yankees.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Plus the Mall of America is crazy.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Been there twice
Never going again! Definitely cool once but I’m not much of a mall goer. I can’t imagine how horrible it would be on Black Friday.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
racist
BravesDawg16 - October 5, 2010
You realize Minnesota isn’t a city, right?
UMDBHIK - October 5, 2010
Yeah, I know
I was referring to how the Twins play in Minneapolis, which is my favorite city. Sorry for being unclear.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
You realize Minneapolis...
…is too cold to live in for about 6 months a year, right?
cavebird - October 5, 2010
No.
Embarrass, MN “Coldest City in America” is, however.
UMDBHIK - October 5, 2010
Also, really? Minneapolis is your favorite city? There’s just so many towns better than that one. Chicago, San Fran, Denver, San Antonio, just to name a few.
Heck, I think even St. Paul takes the cake over Minneapolis.
UMDBHIK - October 5, 2010
It would be a tiny nation indeed.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Reply fail.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Oh snap.....can't believe I haven't thought of this....
Frenchy is going to get postseason play. lol.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
Good for him.
bwellnjonesco - October 5, 2010
This.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
My biggest fear is us playing the Rangers in the WS
And Frenchy hits a couple walk-offs.
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
That will never happen
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Haha...never say never
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010 via mobile
He won't if we only pitch him with Righties.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
If he came up in a clutch situation...
and got anything that wasn’t 6 inches low and a foot outside, I’d be pissed. Throw that pitch 7 times, he’s guaranteed to swing and miss at least at 3 of them.
Mr. Sanchez - October 5, 2010
Time for him to pad that .OBP
HansonManCrush - October 5, 2010 via mobile
Frenchy might get postseason play...
…if he makes the postseason roster. Probably depends on the health of David Murphy. If Murphy is good enough to go, they have Hamilton, Cruz, Bourbon, Guerrero, and Murphy ahead of him at OF/DH, and he might not make the roster.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
Lot of people complaining about our payroll budget.
Our payroll is really not that bad. There are a lot of teams that would kill for $90mm with the flexibility to go over for the right deal. The Braves have also proven that we can win with that payroll size with savvy shopping and great drafting. We were forced to overpay Chipper due to his tenure and standing, and that kind of hurt us this year and next, but he deserved it for all he’s done.
king of games - October 5, 2010
yeah, but I’m just saying we should have kept KJ for the bench (aka, now). Little things like that. Shouldn’t have been a problem.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
6 mil is a lot to pay for a backup 2B.
king of games - October 5, 2010
was it 6? i was thinking it was more around 3.
yeah, 6 is too pricey for that.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
He only made $2.8 mil in 2009. Even if the Braves tendered him a contract and it went to arbitration, $4 mil would have been about the max he would have gotten. I think he could have been retained for about $3.5 mil.
Rhyno18 - October 5, 2010
little things.
that was one of them.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
For that 4mil
we got Hinske and Glaus, both of whom played major roles in getting us to where we’re at. And Hinske’s multi-position eligibility adds a ton of extra value. I liked KJ, but he wasn’t versatile and I think what we got with that money more than made up for his loss.
king of games - October 5, 2010
Well, if you remember, Wren said he had a little money left to make a trade during the season if needed, so that’s really where the $4 mil went. It ended up being used for the Ankiel/Farnsworth trade. I’d have rather had KJ, especially now considering the shape of the Braves infield, but Wren was doing the best he could with the budget limitations currently in place.
Rhyno18 - October 5, 2010
We probably should have just traded to get KJ and LaRoche back from the D-Backs, they were both available, and we all know LaRoche and his second halves.
king of games - October 5, 2010
We have never overpayed Chipper.
He deserves every bit he got with everything he has done for the team/org. Loyalty should be rewarded.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
That’s what I said.
king of games - October 5, 2010
Guess I didn’t get what you meant when you said “we were forced to overpay Chipper”.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
Forced by loyalty. I also said he totally 100% deserves every penny.
king of games - October 5, 2010
Yeah I got it after you said it.
Little foggy with this flu still.
Pavy848 - October 5, 2010
He also always took below market value
Mr. Sanchez - October 5, 2010
yeah. Chipper is legit.
hopefully that new knee gets him another full season.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 5, 2010
According to Cots Baseball Contracts, the Braves started the season at $83 M, which put them 17th out of 30 teams in MLB. This means the Braves are at a very significant competitive disadvantage as to the majority of the teams that they have to beat.
And as to alleged flexibility to bump up the payroll in order to enhance the product on the field of play, it seems we had very little indeed and Wren was largely unable to wheel and deal even when we had the best record in the league and a great shot at home field advantage all the way through the WS.
fandave - October 5, 2010
I have a feeling the lack of big trades had more to do with Wren hanging on to our young arms more than budget constraints.
king of games - October 5, 2010
Which, if true, is not really all that bad a strategy.
UMDBHIK - October 5, 2010
this
Nathan Lowery - October 5, 2010
Pujols/Heyward for 2012.
Scott Coleman - October 5, 2010 via mobile
yeah but what will happen to Freeman in that scenario? I guess Pujols would play 3rd base or LF.
romone_braves91 - October 5, 2010
Trade for an outfielder, Ryan Braun maybe?
king of games - October 5, 2010
If you're talking about trading Freeman....
No.
MBL1 - October 5, 2010 via mobile
This scenario involves us...
…getting Pujols. You don’t have to worry about the collateral consequences like a Freeman trade, because, well, that just isn’t going to happen.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
Yeah, I love Freddie as much as anyone, but when you’re talking about getting the best player of his generation you move who you have to move to do it.
cbwilk - October 5, 2010
Exactly.
Who wouldn’t trade Freeman and a couple of our arms (maybe Minor and Delgado) for Pujols and Braun.
king of games - October 5, 2010
haha
Braves24 - October 5, 2010
I wish there was some way
To let Chipper try to get back, but still go get Adrian Beltre. I think improving the defense should be a big goal this offseason. And we need to do it with guys who can contribute with the bat.
My goal would be to add one superstar or at solid power bat (or biggest need), and fill in the rest with good defenders who are actually worth a damn at the plate.
I think this year we judged defensive ability this way: “This guy can’t hit.” “Yet, he’s still in the majors?” “Well he must be a good defender.” “Great, we need a CF.”
Beltre will be overrated this offseason anyway, so it probably wouldn’t actually be a good investment even if we did have an open position for him.
But I’d love to get a guy like Coco Crisp. Average switch hitter (and really an average hitter in CF would be such an upgrade for us), who is better against lefties, and plays great defense.
The Goche - October 5, 2010
If we didn't need AGon
I’d say that AGon for Crisp would totally get it done.
But AGon, as much as he bothers people, really is at least a better than average defender (I think much better) who has more to offer at the plate than many shortstops. Plus only 2.5 mill next year is a deal.
The Goche - October 5, 2010
As a former Crisp fantasy owner...
…I would be very hesitant. He is a solid, but unspectacular player when he is healthy; good defense and decent hitting. Which is fine. However, he hasn’t been healthy for much of the past two years and him sitting on our DL doesn’t help us much.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
Coco would be a great add for sure
BW Smith - October 5, 2010
I'm skeptical of Beltre.
He seems to always have career years that sync up with contract years. If we can get him on a one year deal, I’m all for it.
king of games - October 5, 2010
I think his career years line up better with not playing at Safeco.
-C
cthabeerman - October 5, 2010
That's why I'd be concerned
Just that he can’t be expected to necessarily keep up with this year’s pace and that will likely inflate his value (that and that we probably already have a 3b).
I actually somewhat like the idea of Chipper and Infante over there. Wanting to get Infante into the lineup will lead the Braves to rest Chipper more, and but having Chipper will keep us from trying to go full time with Infante which would be a big mistake.
As long as we don’t think Chipper is still a #3 batter (unless he comes back bigtime) I think he’d be valuable.
But I’m also afraid that Chipper can’t go and we sit tight with an Infante 2b, Prado 3b infield. I’m totally happy with Prado (I like him better at 2b, though he may actually be a better 3b), but if we expect Infante to hit .320 next year we’re in trouble, and he doesn’t take enough walks to make up for much of a BA drop.
The Goche - October 5, 2010
I do think that if healthy, Beltre is closer to this year’s guy than last year’s .683 OBP. But that’s just trivial for Braves purposes anyway, because he won’t be here in any case.
The Goche - October 5, 2010
Don't expect much activity from the Braves this offseason on the Free Agent market folks.
What we need are outfielders. Go to MLBTradeRumors and you will see the free agent list for OF’s is not pretty. You have guys that are going to be too much in Crawford and Werth, guys that will be too expensive for what they are worth in Ordonez and Damon, and then wow, the next best are Crisp and Andruw.
It is sort of sad; we wouldn’t sign Andruw because management was afraid that Bobby would play him too much. And yet, by pretty much any metric, even though he batted .230 this year, he is still better than any outfielder we trotted out there this year except for Jason.
cavebird - October 5, 2010
I would love to snag DeJesus from the Royals
He would be worth one of our young arms, and hopefully his asking price would drop a bit due to the injury.
king of games - October 5, 2010
he just signed an extesion with Royals, i think
joshant - October 5, 2010
no extension, they just picked up his $6mil option for 2011. They’re hoping he will produce next year so they can trade him, like they planned to do this year before he hurt his wrist.
Rhyno18 - October 5, 2010
Sunday Game 3 is at 4:37 pm per DOB tweet
BravesDawg16 - October 5, 2010
Thanks for this info!
E-Lizz - October 5, 2010
It's All About Bobby...
All the players know that Bobby is the easiest manager to play for. Therefore, they would like to play for him. As soon as Bobby leaves, the whole situation changes.
Thrashy Thrashy - October 5, 2010
Disagree. The organization as a whole has a great reputation – Bobby is a huge part of it, but not the only part.
justincredubil02 - October 5, 2010
I'm surprised that St. Louis finished so poorly.
Widely considered a great baseball town, with loyal and smart fans. They’ve been a winner for a while, too. LaRussa’s douchebaggery must really carry a lot of weight.
Sam Jethroe - October 6, 2010
If you want to completely change your opinion of Cardinals fans go see them in Spring Training. Maybe they’re not the regular St. Louis fans, but while they are ridiculously, unfathomably loyal, they’re also pretty stupid.
cbwilk - October 6, 2010
That's interesting
Maybe it’s a completely different species during the regular season, because I’ve encountered Cards fans in D.C., Chicago, L.A. as well as Atlanta, and they’re among the most loyal, well-traveled, and overall nicest visiting fans I’ve ever met, on top of being well capable of knowing their players, systems, as well as a few of ours, even besides Cory Rasmus.
royhobbs - October 6, 2010
It probably is different, but the ones inhabiting Jupiter are just a bunch of rude loudmouths who know nothing about baseball. They are loyal though, they adored the worst players on the team, guys like Joe Mather who couldn’t even hit .200. Of course, their top prospect Shelby Miller was just hanging around, looking for people to talk to an nobody was interested because they didn’t know who he was.
cbwilk - October 6, 2010
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